Apparatus for plating metal strips



1952 H. A. TOULMXN, JR 2,580,976

APPARATUS FOR PLATING METAL STRIP Original Filed Sept. 7, 1949 SOURCE OF CURRENT ATTORNEYS 4 L. .l" l

s1 51 3a INVENTOR 15% Kg U HARRY A. TOULMIN JR.

Patented Jan. 1, 1952 APPARATUS FOR PLATING METAL STRIPS Harry A. Toulmin, Jr., Dayton, Ohio, assigno'r to The Commonwealth Engineering Company of Ohio, Dayton,v Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Originalapplication September 7, 1949, Serial No. 114,320. Divided and this application July 29, 1950, Serial No. 176,707

2 Claims. (Cl. 91-122) This invention relates to the art of deposition of metals. More particularly, it relates to the Plating of metals on continuously moving hot metal strip and apparatus for carrying out the process.

In the process of forming steel sheet, one method utilized is the hot rolling of ingots. The ingot is formed by casting and rolling to a slab 3 to 6 inches in thickness and of suitable width for charging into a reheating furnace where it is brought to a temperature of about 2200 to 2300 F.

The heated ingot then is passed to thickness reducing mills where it passes through a roughing train and a finishing train. These mills consist of multiple rollers and a number of roll stands depending upon the pressure which it is desired to exert. Roughing stands are usually four high and finishing stands are generally four to eight high.

If the rough down is accomplished in a reversing universal mill, the bar usually goes through a scale breaker and a high pressure spray and then into the four high hot strip stands.

In general, the finishing temperature varies from 1300 to 1600 F; and must be controlled to provide the desired mechanical properties.

In the finishing, strip bars of from 8 to 12 inches wide and about inch in thickness are heated in a pair furnace to about the above mentioned 1300 to 1600 F.

Pairs of bars are withdrawn from this furnace and rolled singly to a predetermined thickness. This rolled metal is then matched and rolled in P irs.

At the time of matching, the pairs are reheated in a sheet furnace and then are rolled to the desired degree of thinness.

As this thin metal sheet issues from the last stand of the finishing train, it is at a temperature in approximately the range of 1000 to 1200 F.

During the coolingoperation the hot metal must be protected from the atmosphere in space consuming complicated equipment in order to avoid oxide formation, which both destroys the appearance and adds another step to the cleaning operation in order to prepare the metal for plating. v

The products from this hot strip rolling operation often require additional treatment to produce better and smoother surface. For a large number of uses, the products must be surface smoothed to receive protective coating such as electrolytically deposited chromium.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages and limitations of the processes known heretofore.

It is also an object of this invention to produce plated rolled sheets in a relatively inexpensive manner.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a process which is of lower operating cost because it utilizes the heat of the metal as it issues from a rolling mill for the useful purpose of plating, whereas this heat normally presents a cooling problem and is a troublesome factor.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective coating formed on the metal while still hot which will protect iron against oxide formation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide metal sheet with a variety of relatively inexpensively applied protective metal coatings which are not deposable by electrolytic methods.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a process wherein sheet metal as it issues from the rolling mill may be continuously plated on both sides.

Another object of this invention is to provide simplified apparatus for carrying out the above process.

Other and more specific objects and advantages will be apparent to one skilled in the art as the following description proceeds.

In brief, this invention comprises continuously passing sheet issuing from a hot rolling mill through a chamber where the heat of the metal is utilized to decompose metal-bearing gasses and to deposit a protective coating. In this way, at least a portion of the heat in the metal is utilized instead of being dissipated.

Further, a coating is deposited which simplifies cooling through the critical temperature range for oxide formation because the iron is no longer exposed.

It will also be recognized that the process permits depositing an adhering protective metal coating, such as tungsten, which cannot be deposited electrolytically from liquid baths.

In sequence, the plate is subjected preferably to a reducing atmosphere,,although this step is optional, plating with metal and annealing to impart ductility.

The plating operation may be divided into a preliminary flash coating with metal and a finish plating operation in which event an adhesion 3 operation of the preferred form of apparatus hereinafter described in detail is control of gas pressure in each of the segments of the housing.

In order to insure against leakage of plating gasses from the platingchamber or compartmenfa'fid'still have openings in the partition walls for continuous passage of metal sheet, it is necessary to maintain a metal vapor free gas atmosphere at a slightly higher gas pressure in the housing segments or compartments preceding and succeeding the plating chamber.

The leakage of inert gas into a plating chamber is limited to small quantities by having apertures in the partition wall of a width providin only a loose sliding fit with the metal sheet passing therethrough and by keeping the pressure differential small.

It will be recognized that the inert gas leaking into the plating chamber is not a harmful operation because the metal bearing gasses are usually diluted with an inert gaseous medium and the gas decomposing reaction in the plating chamber produces relatively inert decomposition products such as carbon monoxide.

In the process a stream of gaseous material is brought into contact with the hot metal plate. The gaseous atmosphere may be formed by mixing an inert gas with the vapors of a volatile metal compound or by atomizing a liquid metal compound into a blast of hot inert gas or other equivalent method.

Carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, hydrogen, 1

the gaseous product of controlled burning of hydrocarbon gasses free of oxygen, and the like, have been utilized as a carrier medium orinert gas medium.

In some instances the use of hydrogen is preferred as, for example, in a first compartment of the housing where its ability to'act as a reducing agent may be put to advantage to remove any oxide film on the surface of metal sheet.

Metals to be deposited may be introduced as gaseous metal carbonyls or vaporized solutions of certain of the metal carbonyls in readily vaporizable solvents (for example, petroleum ether), also nitroxyl compounds, nitrosyl carbonyls, metal hydrides, metal alkyls, metal halides, and the like.

Illustrative compounds of the carbonyl type are nickel, iron, chromium; molybdenum, cobalt, and mixedcarbonyls.

Illustrative compounds of other groups are the nitroxyls, such as copper nitroxyl; nitrosyl carbonyls, for example, cobalt nitrosyl carbonyl; hydrides, such as antimony hydride, tin hydride; metal alkyls, such as chromyl chloride; and carbonyls halogens, for example, osmium car- 'bonyl bromide, rhuthenium carbonyl chloride,

and the like.

Each material from which a metal may be plated has a temperature at which decomposition is complete. However, decomposition may take place slowly at a lower temperature or while the vapors are being raised in temperature through some particular range. For example, nickel carbonyl completely decomposes at a temperature in the range of 375 F. to 400 F. However, nickel carbonyl starts to decompose slowly at about 175 F. and therefore decomposition continues during the time of heating from 200 F. to 380 F. A large number of the metal carbonyls and hydrides may be effectively and efficiently decomposed at a temperature in the rangeof 350 F. to 450 F. When working with most metal carbonyls we prefer to operate in a temperature range of 375 F. to 425 F.

Maintenance of the metal sheet at temperatures in the general desompositlon range is easily accomplished by guiding the metal sheet in timed sequence through a unit where the time for radiation and loss of heat is readily controlled and then directly into the plating apparatus.

For anneals between and after the plating operation the metal sheet may be heated by causing the metal plate to conduct electricity or to be heated by induction or other suitable means.

When annealing temperatures, which are considerably higher than plating temperatures, i. e. in the range of 800 to 1200 F., are to be used, the operation is preferably carried out by causing the metal sheet to conduct electricity. This generally consists of impressing upon terminals contacting the metal sheet a voltage suflicient to bring the sheet to a red heat.

The lower temperature of the plating area is then accomplished by placing an electrical shunt in parallel with the plating zone. In this way the amount of current passing in the metal sheet is reduced and as a result its temperature quickly' lowers to a predetermined range.

With hot metal issuing from a finishing mill there is seldom any need to employ a preparatory surface cleaning operation. However, if one is found necessary conventional methods maybe used.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of one embodiment of the apparatus and its mode of operation.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a complete plate forming and plating unit;

Figure 2 is a vertical front view diagrammatically showing the rollers of a stand and metal being rolled;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view diagrammatically showing the seal used at either the inlet or outlet end of the housing for the plating unit;

Figure 4 is a sectional view diagrammatically illustrating the partition unit separating the housing into segments; and 1 Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the flexible upper leg of the partition divider which yields thus permitting the equipment to accommodate any metal sheet thickness. 1

Figure 6 shows diagrammatically an electrical heating system which may be employed to obtain predetermined heating ellects in the various annealing and plating chambers.

Referring to the drawings, there-is shown a four high stand l0 of the finishing train of a rolling mill. A strip of metal ll' composed of paired sheets of iron which have been heated to about 1300 F. in a pair oven (not shown) is illustrated being fed between the middle rollers l2 of the stand i0 and issuing as a sheet [3, 'of desired reduced thickness.

The sheet l3 after suitable delay for cooling about 600 to 700 F. indicated at ll by the broken strip, enters a housing l5. Entranceto the housing I5 is made through a seal IS. The rolled plate assua e to be filled with a iluid 22, such as mercury, low melting point eutectic fusible alloys, or equivalent fluid. Mounted on the trough 2| is a support 23. Support 23 carries three rollers 24, 23 and 23 mounted on ball bearings for free action.

Support 23 is composed of a vertical portion 21 adapted to extend into the mercury bath and provides at its bottom end the mounting for roller 25.

The support 23 provides at its extremity the mounting for roller 24. The leitwardly extending portion of support 23 forms a housing with.- in which roller 23 is free to rotate.

If desired guide rollers 23 may be utilized.

Partition elements l8, as shown more in detail in Figures 4 and 5, consist of lower and upper wall members 33 and II upon which are mounted through suitable brackets rollers 32 and 33, respectively.

Inasmuch as the hot metal strip must be supported during its travel, rollers 32 are mounted atop the bottom half of partition wall 33 in fixed position. To provide flexibility in thickness of sheet that may be handled roller 33 is aflixed to a movable mounting' 34. One version of this mounting adapted to provide gas tight engagement is shown in more detail in Figure 5.

In-this type mounting providing sealing engagement wall 3i acts as a support. Slidably engaging wall 3l is a guide 42. This guide 42 supports through suitable brackets bearings for roller 33.

Wall 3i is also the guide for a bracket 45. Bracket 43 is formed with two channeled leg members 46 and 41. In the legs are held members 43 and 43 yieldingly urged into engagement with the roller 33 by springs 33 and II, respectively.

If desired, as an additional precaution against leakage of gas, suitable gasketing material may be aflixed. Also, if electrical contact is desired suitable conduit may be positioned on wall 3i and attached to a terminal of a brush contact with any of said rollers 33.

Referring again to Figure 1, housing It may be divided by partition units l3 into a number of segments, in this case illustrated with five segments 36 to 43, inclusive.

Each segment or compartment is provided with inlet and outlet conduits, as for example 33a and 36b.

In brief, the operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Hot rolled sheet l'3 issuing from between the rollers l2 after suitable delay move through seal it by passing over roller 23 and down through the mercury.

The hot rolled sheet turns upward after passing below pulley 25 and passes over pulley 24. The hot rolled sheet then traverses the first compartment 36 where it is in contact with an inert gas atmosphere.

This brings the sheet into the flash coating chamber. The sheet then passes through another partition is and is energized by contact with rollers 33 having an electrical connection for heating to annealing temperature.

A typical electrical heating system is shown in Fig. 6 wherein the lengths of metal strip within the annealing chambers 33 and 40 (diagrammatically shown) are heated by electricity conducted through brushes SI of any suitable type. These brushes bear against the respective rollers 33 of each of said chambers. The temperature generated is preferably in the range of 800 1". to

1200 l". The lower temperatures (375' i". to 425 F.) in the plating chambers 31 and 33 may be derived in the same manner as in the annealing chambers except a nected in parallel to the length of each strip within chambers 31, 33 in order to reduce the heating eii'ects at the lengths of strip within these chambers. It will be understood that instead of applying a source of electromotive force directly to the respective lengths of strip throughout the various chambers and reducing the heating effects in predetermined chambers by the use of resistance shunts, it may be desirable to apply heat to these strip lengths inductively.

The hot rolled sheet entirely through the housing II and its partitioning element l3 until it emerges through the outlet se'al I3. The coated sheet is then accumulated on reel 23.

Gas is circulated through each compartment and, under certain circumstances. through compartments Joined in series. For example, plating gas may be circulated through the plating compartments 31 and 33 in series. while inert gas alone may be circulated in compartments 33, 33 and 40 in series.

The gas is generally circulated in counter-current flow to the direction of movement or the sheet being plated. To this end gas is fed to each compartment through an inlet indicated a near the point of plate egress from the compartment and an outlet indicated b near the point oi ingress into the compartment.

When using a live segment apparatus for coating described in connection with the drawing, plating gasses are excluded from the non-plating sections or compartments by passing through these compartments one or more of the above mentioned inert gasses, at rates in the range of 10 to 20 cubic feet per hour per cubic foot of plating chamber.

In the plating chamber gas flow of mixed gas containing inert gas, such as nitrogen mixed with volatile metal compounds, is at a gas rate in the range of 2 to 5 cubic feet per hour per cubic foot of plating chamber.

In the plating of nickel upon 32 inch wide sheet SAE 4340 of approximately .025'inch in thickness, the following conditions may be maintained:

The temperature of the sheet entering the plating chamber may be approximately 425 1",, for the anneals between plating and following the last plating step, the rolled sheet may be heated to approximately 1000 F., rate of flow of carbon dioxide gas through the annealing compartments in series may be approximately 20 to 40 cubic feet of gas per hour per cubic foot of chamber space.

Rate of iiow of gas through the plating compartments may be approximately 10 to 30 cubic feet per hour per cubic foot of chamber space, with nickel carbonyl vapors being present when it is desired to deposit a nickel plate in the ratio of approximately 10 ounces of carbonyl per cubic foot of carbon dioxide gas passed through the plating chamber.

It will be understood that while the method and apparatus disclosed and described herein illustrate a preferred form of the invention, modiilcation can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that all modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be included herein.

For example, plating is accomplished in the 1 above apparatus on both sides of the paired unt resistor 32 is con- 7 sheets. However, when these sheets are separate it will at once be recognized that the-individual sheets are only plated on one side. I! the paired sheets, however, are split before plating, it will at once become apparent that each individual half sheet can be plated on both sides.

This application is a division of Serial No. 114,320 flied September 7, 1949.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for plating a metal strip comprising a housing having inlet and outlet means for said metal strip, means for fluid-sealing said inlet and outlet means, substantially vertical partitions in said housing dividing said housing into separate chambers, means for conveying said strip through said housing, inlet means for circulating gas in a first chamber, conduit means connecting alternate chambers with said first chamber forming a first series of chambers, outlet means for the gas circulated in said first series, inlet means for conducting volatile metal compounds into the second chamber, conduit means connecting an alternate chamber with said second chamber forming a. second series of chambers, outlet means for the metal compounds conducted in said second series, electrical contact means for conducting electric current to said moving sheet and impressing an electric potential on said sheet to increase the temperature thereof in one of the chambers of said first series for producing annealing temperatures in said strip and electrical shunt means for reducing the amount of current passing through said sheet in said second series and thereby reducing the temperature of said sheet following annealing.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each partition has a split aperture dividing the partition into an upper and lower wall, said electrical contact means comprising roller means on said walls, said roller means constituting a support for said strip during its travel through said housing and means for adjusting the vertical width of said apertures in accordance with the thickness of said strip.

HARRY A. TOULMIN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,285,887 Alexander et a1. Nov. 28, 1918 2,332,309 Drummond Oct. 19, 1943 2,382,432 McManus et al. Aug. 14, 1945 2,442,485 Cook June 1, 1948 

